SOFITEL MACAU OPENS A NEW CHAPTER IN MACAU’S HERITAGE

Macau’s first and only French luxury hotel – Sofitel Macau At Ponte16 – has made its debut, opening its doors to welcome guests in the heart of Macau’s most significant and historic waterfront precinct.

Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16 has been developed by Pier 16 – Resort Hotel Management Limited as part of an estimated HK$3.2 billion (US$400 million) total investment that involves the development of a combined hotel, casino, retail, restaurant and entertainment complex.

The hotel is set to become one of Macau’s most prestigious deluxe hotels. Built around the remaining façade of Pier 16, the 20-storey Sofitel Macau has 408 rooms (all with Sofitel’s renowned ‘MyBed’), Mistral restaurant and Rendezvous the lobby lounge, swimming pool, business centre and a 460 sqm multi-function banquet room plus additional meeting rooms. The hotel will also have Club Sofitel floors as well as The Mansion at Sofitel designed especially for the casino’s high rollers.

The Ponte 16 is located in the Inner Harbour of Macau’s Pier 16, one of the oldest financial hubs in Macau.

The development echoes the Inner Harbour’s heritage, and protects landmarks such as the Old Clock Tower, the focal point of the project. Sofitel Macau is located on the right side of the Clock Tower, while the left side houses the casino complex, which is planned to include retail shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities. Cobblestone streets connect the different sectors of the project site, a promenade will be built along the Ponte 16 waterfront to provide a venue for outdoor performances and other recreational activities.

Sofitel Macau is within walking distance to the ‘Historic Centre of Macau’, a World Heritage Site enlisted by UNESCO and a living representation of the city’s original settlement. The area is characterised by a myriad of narrow laneways and piazzas, which provide a link to over 20 historical monuments, including the Ruins of St. Paul’s, sections of the Old City Walls and the Mount Fortress.

Sofitel Macau General Manager, Robert Rippon, said that Sofitel Macau was unique amongst Macau’s luxury hotels in that it combined modern style and design with a stunning heritage location.

“Many travellers coming to Macau want to be part of the heritage and character of old Macau, while still seeking the luxury of a contemporary 5-star hotel – and that’s exactly what Sofitel Macau offers,” he said.

“Ponte 16 is an outstanding development that revitalises one of Macau’s most distinctive heritage areas. When the development is fully completed, the precinct will be one of Macau’s most vibrant areas, with an excellent range of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and retail outlets to complement the peninsula’s historic attractions, which are on Sofitel Macau’s doorstep.”

“The vast interest in historic cities bodes well for Macau, and with Ponte 16’s commitment to maintaining the historic integrity of the waterfront district, we believe Sofitel Macau will attract strong interest from visitors around the world, including discerning leisure travellers and high-end conference and incentive groups.”

The opening of Sofitel Macau is expected to continue Macau’s tourism momentum, which will be realised through Sofitel’s global distribution channels.

Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16 is the 22nd Sofitel to open in China, and follows the highly successful launch of Sofitel Wanda Beijing last year. Sofitel hotels and resorts are to be found in China’s most important commercial and resort destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Xi’an, Xiamen and Hangzhou. The network will grow to 25 hotels by the end of 2008, making it one of China’s largest and fastest growing networks of luxury hotels.

Opening rate for Sofitel Macau starts from HKD1,350++ and can be booked via rsvn@sofitelmacau.com or visit www.sofitel.com

Sofitel: re-inventing French elegance in luxury hotels

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